FADE IN:

INT. OFFICE BUILDING, FRONT ROOM - DAY

It is a small office, with only three employees. There is a Mud Room in the back, followed by a Conference Room, and a Bathroom off that. Then comes a Hall, off that the Boss's Office, and then a Front Room with two desks, a waiting area and a table with some refreshments on it. The front of the room has two big windows on either side of the door for advertisements and such.

The two desks in the front room are facing the front door that leads out onto Main Street and have high fronts on them. They are big desks, filled of course with fax machines and printers and papers and such, one desk on each side of the room.

As the titles roll, the camera follows URSULA, one of the secretaries, from her desk in the Front Room, into the Boss's Office, where she places several papers on his desk, and continues on to the Conference Room towards the back of the office.

She sits down and starts to file papers at the tables in the middle of the room, which are strewn with random files and folders. The sound of a STOPPING CAR is heard outside.

CUT TO:

INT. MUD ROOM - SAME

HARRISON BUTTS, the boss, walks in the back door eating a sandwich from McDonald's. He is overweight, rather uncouth and sloppy. He walks in and begins to take off his coat.

CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

The toilet is heard FLUSHING and the FAUCET RUNNING from the bathroom off of the Conference Room as Ursula works. The bathroom door starts to open

CUT TO:

INT. MUD ROOM - SAME

In the Mud Room, Harrison, thinking no one is in the Conference Room, BURPS unrestrainedly.

CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

As he does so JARRED, one of the employees, steps out of the Bathroom just in time to hear the burp.

JARRED

(To Ursula)

Was that you?

URSULA

(Very defensive)

No, that was not me.

(Speaking of the boss and pointing to the Mud Room)

He's in there.

Ursula roles her eyes at Jarred as she goes back to her work.

JARRED

Oh.

HARRISON

(From the Mud Room)

Jarred?

JARRED

Yeah?

CUT TO:

INT. MUD ROOM - SAME

Harrison is finishing his sandwich while looking at some magazines.

HARRISON

(Mouth full of food, speaking to Jarred in the next room)

Are you done filing those papers I gave you?

CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

Jarred is still standing just outside the bathroom.

JARRED

Uh, no.

HARRISON

(From the Mud Room)

Why not Jarred?

JARRED

You left them on my desk just this morning.

CUT TO:

INT. MUD ROOM - SAME

HARRISON

(Chomping loudly on the last bite of his sandwich)

Well you could have told me that. Don't do anything more after you've finished those. I want to check your work.

CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

JARRED

Okay.

INT. OFFICE FRONT ROOM - DAY

It is the next day. The NOISY SOUNDS of an exciting game of PINBALL are heard.

Jarred is sitting at his desk. It is completely organized. Nothing is on it except normal office tools, i.e. stapler, hole-puncher, etc. He is playing Pinball when he hears a BEEP and gets a text-message from Harrison. He pauses his game and reads it.

HARRISON

(texted)

"What are you doing, Jarred?"

JARRED

(texted back)

"filing the papers you gave me"

Unknown to Jarred, Harrison is standing directly behind him.

Harrison types on his cell phone again.

HARRISON

(texted)

"your fired."

JARRED

(texted back, remaining unamused and unsurprised)

"y"

HARRISON

(Speaking)

Jarred...

Jarred is startled in his chair.

HARRISON

(Continuing)

I won't have you lying to me, Jarred. Now go.

Harrison walks back to his office, slamming the door behind him, leaving Jarred disappointed and slouched in his chair. Jarred closes the Pinball game and sits for a minute.

SCOTT REYNOLDS walks in with a bright smile on his face and SLURPING a large Starbucks Coffee. Under his left armpit he holds a news paper. His smile fades into a concerned frown as he sees Jarred and asks what's wrong.

SCOTT

Morning Jarred, what's wrong?

Jarred simply glances behind him to his boss's office. Scott returns the glance with an understanding look.

SCOTT

I see. Well, can I schedule an appointment?

JARRED

I'm afraid not. I'm actually fired.

SCOTT

Oh, I see. Tomorrow you think?

JARRED

(Thoughtfully)

Yeah, I'll prolly be hired again by then. Oh how's your packing coming?

The conversation livens quickly from here on, like old friends meeting again. Jarred begins to slouch in his chair, relaxing, and happy to be with a friend.

SCOTT

(Now very excited)

Oh yeah! It's great! Bought a brand new fly rod too!

JARRED

Oh yeah?

SCOTT

Yup, Sage ZXL Series...real sharp looking, can't wait to try it out!

JARRED

Wonderful! When are you leaving?

SCOTT

This Friday, soon as I get out of work we're off!

(Selecting a chocolate from a dish on Jarred's desk)

That's why I wanted to schedule an appointment...get some thing cleared up before we leave.

Scott happens to glance toward the windows at the front of the office and sees Ursula crossing the street in front of the office.

SCOTT

(Continuing)

And I better be getting off. Urse is coming.

JARRED

(Straightening up in his chair, exasperated)

Oh boy!

SCOTT

(Heading for the door)

I'll see ya tomorrow, Jarred!

JARRED

Yup, see ya then!

As Scott leaves, Ursula meets him at the door without greeting. She walks over to her desk and sees Jarred in his now depressed state as he remembers his troubles.

URSULA

(Amused, obviously not compassionate, teasing, but not in a friendly way.)

Fired?

JARRED

(Somewhat grudgingly)

How did you know?

URSULA

(Proudly, showing off)

Harrison called me.

(Giving a concerned glance at Harrison's Office)

Has he come back out yet?

Jarred nods "no". Immediately after this dialog Harrison enters from his office. He walks to Jarred's desk, carelessly tossing some files on the desk before him.  He gives Jarred an unnerving glance and walks back to his office.

HARRISON

(As he is returning to his office, flirtingly)

Morning Urse.

Ursula stars to blush as Harrison returns to his office, leaving Jarred at his desk.

JARRED

(Very annoyed)

Dang it.

INT. OFFICE FRONT ROOM - DAY

Jarred crosses the street in front of the office, unlocks the office door and walks in. He is holding a soda and SLURPING the last drops from it. He walks to his desk and sees he there is a phone message. He plays it.

PHONE

Hi, this is Mark Xolech, um just wondering...ah, Harrison said he was going to call me back about something last week and I never got the call. So if you would, please have him call me. Thanks.

Jarred sits down and finds a paper with a sloppy note scribbled on it on his desk. It reads:

"Jarred, ME AND URSE went out to lunch. We'll be out for the rest of the day. I assidentaly spilled some files in my ofice. Cleen them up after you get off at 5. Don't leave till they're done."

Jarred walks slowly to Harrison's office, dreading what the situation might be. As he opens the door he finds a mass of files strewn on the floor, contents pilled carelessly about. He stares in utter disbelief, then steps over some files and sits depressed in Harrison's chair.

INT. OFFICE FRONT ROOM - DAY

Ursula is sitting at her desk blushing. Harrison is sweet talking her. They are both chuckling.

HARRISON

How about this weekend?

URSULA

I thought you had work.

HARRISON

Oh, we can let Jarred to that.

They both chuckle as Harrison caresses Ursula's cheek. Jarred comes in the front door. He is obviously very tired and carries an extremely large thermos of coffee and a tall mug with a lid on it. He walks into the office. When Jarred enters, Harrison's attention is turned from Ursula to him.

HARRISON

(Scorningly)

You're late Jarred.

Jarred does not respond. He sits down at his desk and pours a cup of coffee. Harrison walks to his office. Jarred sips his coffee savoringly. Ursula looks on in disgust, then gets up and goes to the back room. A minute later Scott enters from the front door.

SCOTT

Hey Jarred! Came to schedule that appointment.

JARRED

(Cheering up some and looking at a schedule)

Hey Scott! Oh yeah, um, how about tomorrow around nine?

SCOTT

Sounds good. Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come with us on the fishing trip?

JARRED

Hm...This weekend you said?

SCOTT

Yeah, we're leaving tomorrow evening. I mean, you can use my old rod, we'll just be camping out in the pop-up, eating fish, hanging out.

JARRED

(Looks at the schedule again)

Well, it looks like I won't be able to make it, Harry's got some projects lined up for this weekend.

SCOTT

You know you don't have to work on the weekends Jarred.

JARRED

Oh yes I do! If I want to keep my job!

SCOTT

You know Jarred, if your really not happy here you should find a different job.  How important is any salary, no matter how big, if your not happy?

JARRED

It's not that bad...just Harrison really gets on my nerves sometimes. Did I tell you about yesterday?

SCOTT

No, I don't think so.

JARRED

Well he "accidentally" spilled some files in his office and had me clean them up, right? It took six hours. I was here till eleven.

SCOTT

Oh my gosh!

(Desperately trying to convince Jarred)

And was it worth it, Jarred?

JARRED

(Sighs, giving up)

You know, I don't know.

Behind Jarred's desk is a window that looks into Harrison's Office. The window has shutters which are usually closed. As Jarred speaks he hears the SHUTTERS MOVE behind him. He turns in his chair to see Harrison suspiciously peering out between two shutters.

JARRED

(Continuing)

I'll get back to you about this weekend, Scott. You'd better go now though.

SCOTT

(encouragingly)

Okay Jarred! You should really come, but I'll talk to you later!

Scott leaves. Jarred sits at his desk for a moment, then looks behind him. Harrison quickly moves away from the shutters and comes out of his office a moment later.

HARRISON

What did Scott want? Jarred doesn't look at Harrison who is trying to stare him down.

JARRED

He scheduled an appointment.

HARRISON

When?

JARRED

(Still not looking at Harrison)

Tomorrow morning.

HARRISON

Where's Ursula?

Jarred nods his head towards the back room. Harrison stands for a minute trying to think of something to say to Jarred, either a job or a reprimand, but can't think of anything.  He starts to walk away when Jarred stops him.

JARRED

Mark Xolech called. He wants you to call him back.

Harrison makes an uncaring grunt, then leaves.

INT. OFFICE FRONT ROOM - DAY

Jarred is sitting at his desk working. Harrison enters from his office and walks to Jarred's desk. He plops an envelope on it, then leaves. Jarred looks tiredly at the envelope and then sees that it is his pay check. He opens and studies it. He sees that it says he worked three hours overtime to re-file Harrison's spilled files, when in fact, he had worked six. Jarred, shocked, gets up and walks to Harrison's Office.  He opens the door and realizes Harrison is on the phone.  He enters quietly. Harrison is in his chair facing away from the door so he does not see Jarred enter. He is talking to a FLORIST.

HARRISON

Yes, twelve roses, and on the note have it say "To my dear Angela, thanks for you know what."

FLORIST

(Gasps)

Sir, are you sure you want to say that?

HARRISON

(Scolding)

Please don't argue with me.

FLORIST

(Still shocked)

Where would you like them delivered sir?

HARRISON

Just bring them down to my office right away.

FLORIST

Okay, thank you sir.

Harrison hangs up. Jarred stands just inside the door. Harrison, sits for a moment, the senses someone is there and turns around.

HARRISON

(Shocked)

Jarred!

(Knowing that Jarred heard his phone call and pretending it was nothing)

What seems to be the trouble?

JARRED

(Still very upset with Harrison about the pay check)

Was it an accident?

HARRISON

(Covering up)

Was what an accident Jarred?

JARRED

On my pay check you said I worked three hours over time.

HARRISON

Yes, so, what's the problem?

JARRED

You know I worked more than that.

Ursula appears at the open door leading into Harrison's Office with some files.

URSULA

(Starting to talk)

Harrison, will you...

(She sees Jarred and realizes there's a situation. Trying to act important)

What's the problem here?

HARRISON

Nothing I can't take care of Urse!

(To Jarred now, faking confusion)

Now Jarred, I thought we had said you couldn't work more than three hours over time.

JARRED

Yes, but then you told me to work until the files were cleaned up and I expected you to pay me for the time I put in.

As Jarred says this Harrison gets up and walks past him and Ursula to the refreshments table in the front room for coffee trying to avoid the situation. Jarred follows, followed by Ursula.

JARRED

So?

HARRISON

Yes, of course Jarred!

JARRED

Okay, I'll be expecting a check then.

HARRISON 

I already have!

JARRED

(Getting more upset with Harrison)

If your not going to pay me for the time I work, then I might as well leave!

HARRISON

Jarred, I am! You worked three hours and I paid you for three hours! I don't understand your problem Jarred!

JARRED

No, I worked six hours, and you only paid me for three.

Ursula cross to her desk and sits down looking disturbed and annoyed.

HARRISON

Yes, but Jarred, the contract said that you would only work three hours overtime. Now Jarred, you agreed to that!

JARRED

I've already said what I'm going to do. If your not going to pay me for all of my overtime, I'm going to have to leave.

URSULA

(Very aggressive)

No, Jarred...yah, you agreed.

HARRISON

(Somewhat overtop of Ursula)

Yes, Jarred, but, I did pay you.

JARRED

No! Can't you understand this? I worked 6 hours...

HARRISON

(Butting in.  Now acting confused, and sympathetic to Jarred, as if he were a little kid trying unsuccessfully to communicate something)

Is this about Pin Ball? Are you upset that I made you stop playing Pin Ball?

JARRED

(Obviously extremely annoyed by now)

No, this is not about Pin Ball!

Harrison is now unable to hold in his anger against Jarred for playing Pin Ball and is also trying to keep the conversation off-topic.

HARRISON

You know, I never said you could play Pin Ball!

As Jarred and Harrison argue about Pin Ball a FLORIST walks in with a bunch of roses in her hand. The door DINGS. She stands for a moment waiting for Harrison to see her. Harrison makes no sign that he knows she's there.

JARRED

(Defending himself, outraged at Harrison's off-topic unreasonableness)

Oh my gosh! I had been sitting there for half an hour not doing a thing!

HARRISON

But Jarred, that's no excuse!  What I tell you to do is what you do and only what you do!

Seeing that Harrison is talking and is not paying any attention to her, the Florist hands the flowers to Ursula. Ursula, just seeing the Florist, looks at the flowers and brightens thinking they're from Harrison to her.

Ursula takes the flowers cooing over them fondly.

FLORIST

(whispering, trying not to disturb the argument going on)

That's forty dollars.

Ursula motions to her to wait a minute and scampers to Harrison's office.  There she takes forty dollars out of Harrison's wallet and trots back to the Florist.  She gives it to her and waves at her, eager for her to leave.

The Florist leaves.

Ursula reads the note and is aghast.

JARRED

(Regaining his focus and bringing the conversation back to topic)

Ok, no, I'm not talking about Pin Ball!

(Somewhat confused by their fake idiocy, but very clearly as his anger rises)

Now if you don't pay me for the whole six hours I worked overtime, I'm going to quit.

As Jarred says this, Ursula gets up and walks out the front door, indescribably mad, tears pouring from her eyes, hatred building in her heart. Harrison does not notice. Up to this point Harrison has known what Jarred wants, but has been pretending he didn't, not wanting to have to pay Jarred for all the time he worked. After Jarred's last line, knowing that he can't avoid the situation any longer, he acts as if the light has shown and he just figured out what Jarred wants.

HARRISON

Oh! Now you didn't say that! That's a different matter!

JARRED

Okay, so now are you going to pay me for the whole six hours?

HARRISON

(As his unwillingness to pay Jarred returns)

What did you hear me just say Jarred? I said that I paid you for your overtime already. No I'm not going to pay you more!

Jarred calms some, realizing that he's sure he's going to quit now.

JARRED

(Relaxing some) 

Ok, then, that's fine...

HARRISON

(Butting in again and turning towards his office)

Now come to my office. I have things for you to file.

Jarred turns and leaves.

HARRISON

(Hollering after him)

Jarred! Jarred! Where are you going? I told you to come to my office!  Damn it!

Jarred does not respond, but simply walks out the door, going down the street to the right. Harrison begins to go back to his office. Scott enters the office from the street coming from the left. Like usual he has a bright smile on his face, a coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other. As he enters he sees Harrison and his smile fades. Then not letting it get to him he brightens again.

SCOTT

Morning Harrison! Jarred around?

Harrison turns.

HARRISON

(Boiling mad, through his teeth)

Jarred has quit. He left this morning.

SCOTT

(Shocked)

Jarred's quit?

HARRISON

(Not realizing Scott's concern for Jarred)

Now if you'll come to my office we can have our appointment.

SCOTT

Wait, when did he leave?

HARRISON

(Still very annoyed at Jarred, scowling)

I don't know! Do I care?

SCOTT

(Turning towards the door)

I don't know but I sure do!

HARRISON

(Confused)

Where are you going Scott? Scott!

SCOTT

(As he walks out the door)

To find Jarred!

HARRISON

(Hurrying after Scott and hollering out the door)

Well what about our appointment?

SCOTT

Not now Harry!

Scott runs down the street to the right. Harrison, frustrated, turns and starts to go back to his office.

HARRISON

I hate it when he calls me that!

Harrison stops and sits down at Jarred's old desk, extremely angry. He sits for a while, thinking, angry at Jarred and Scott, mumbling under his breath.

HARRISON

(Mumbling)

Jarred! Gosh...

(Mumbling becomes incoherent for a few seconds)

Flowers...

(Remembering his flowers)

Flowers! Ursula! Damn it!

Harrison gets up and runs out the door.

EXT. LAKE - MORNING

Jarred, Scott, and Scott's Friend TONY are out fishing standing in a boat. A camp is set up behind them; A pop-up camper, a fire, a small folding table...etc... They are talking loudly to each other and having the times of their lives.  Beer cans litter the bottom of the boat.

TONY

Hey Scott! Pass me that cooler!

SCOTT

Yeah it's just about time to get some food out!

Scott and Tony sit down and pull some sandwiches out of a cooler

JARRED

Hey Scott!

SCOTT

Yeah?

Scott looks at Jarred and sees what he wants. Scott and Jarred swap fly rods and then go back to fishing and eating, hollering and whooping.

FADE OUT:

THE END